Join me this week for an open forum to discuss a range of topics on Wednesday, April 6, at 3 p.m. in the Student Services Building, Deedy Lounge. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to bring their ideas, questions, and other subjects of interest.

California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott Expresses Disappointment Regarding Failure of Legislators to Place Tax Extensions on June Ballot

California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott said last week in a media briefing that he is deeply disappointed over the failure of the state’s elected leaders to place a tax extension proposal on a June ballot. The 112 campuses are already reeling from $400 million in budget cuts. Scott asserts that an $800 million or more “all-cuts” solution will likely result in denying access to more than 400,000 students – roughly the same number enrolled in the entire California State University system.
 
While the main budget bill has not been signed by Gov. Brown, last week he signed a trailer bill that increased the fees at all 112 community college fees beginning in the fall 2011 semester from $26 to $36 per unit, a 38 percent boost. That increase is expected to generate $110 million in revenues that will offset some of the cuts to the community college system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended that policymakers consider increasing community college fees even further, from $26 to $66 per unit.

The Educational Excellence Innovation Fund provides seed money that encourages College of Marin’s faculty and staff to dream out loud.

The Educational Excellence Innovation Fund (EEIF) has four areas of concentration:

1. Leverage for Fund Development
Provides start-up planning and financial support to faculty and staff in devising programs and services:
Closely linked to college/district strategic goals/priorities

• Possesses significant potential for development of linkages with external organizations such as business, industry, government agencies and community organizations
• Has a high level of potential for procurement of additional private or public sector funding as a result of Educational Excellence Innovation Fund support
• Coordinated with the activities of the Educational Excellence Innovation Fund, the President’s Circle, College of Marin Foundation

2. New programs reflecting business and workforce training

• Addresses emerging work force issues in the Bay Area and/or Marin County
  
• Provides learning opportunities into the environmental, medical, or technological work force
  
• Increases career opportunities and skills development

3. New pedagogies, learning styles, and learning communities

• Introduces new teaching methods, such as utilizing technology and web-based instruction
• Implements faculty development of educational websites
• Creates distance learning and on-line options for instructional delivery

4. Program revitalization

• Adds new components to existing programs
• Creates partnerships with business to expand program offerings

For proposal instructions and applications please emailmelinda.molloy@marin.edu
Proposals should be submitted to the Superintendent/President’s Office by May 6, 2011. Awards will be announced in June.
 
Faculty Proposals submitted to the Superintendent/President’s Office will be forwarded to U.D.W.C. per Article 8.3 of UPM contract.

College of Marin Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee Solicits New Members Deadline to Apply is Extended to April 15

Five committee members are being sought to serve on the College of Marin Measure C Bond Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the Measure C bond program. The committee is seeking applications for members representing the community at large, a bona-fide taxpayer’s association, a senior citizens’ organization, and a member active in a business organization representing the business community located in the district. New members will be appointed by the College of Marin Board of Trustees at its May meeting. Applications are due April 15, 2011. Oversight committee members cannot be employees, officials, vendors, consultants, or contractors of the College of Marin. Application and application information can be found online at http://www.marin.edu/MeasureC/coc/index.htm or by calling the Office of the Superintendent/President at (415) 485-9502.

The College of Marin Board of Trustees passed a resolution on December 14, 2004, establishing the independent citizens’ oversight committee. The committee is responsible for ensuring the College of Marin’s financial accountability for projects funded by a $249.5 million bond earmarked for facilities modernization and passed by Marin County Voters in the November 2004 election with more than 63 percent voter approval. Measure C was a Proposition 39 bond that required the formation of a Citizen’s Oversight Committee.

Former College of Marin student Aaron Waters received the 2011 3C4A Achievement Award at a luncheon honoring student-athletes last week. The awards are given to student-athletes who have overcome hardship in their life. Waters overcame drug addiction and with the help of Counselor Bruce Furuya and Swim Coach Warren Lager went on to become a two time All American as well as competing at the state level for COM. He is currently attending Cal Lutheran University. Congratulations to Aaron and kudos to Bruce and Warren for all their good work!

College of Marin will hold the TOEFL on Friday, April 8, 2011, from 9 a.m. to noon. Students should arrive by 8:45 a.m. Students can sign-up beforehand on the sheet in Ohlone 142 or e-mailsara.oser@marin.edu. You may also leave a message at (415) 883-2211, ext. 8579.

There is a space limit of 15 people so students are encouraged to sign-up early. The cost to take the test is $30 and this fee may be paid in the Kentfield or Indian Valley Campus Admissions and Records Office, Building 27, after March 25.

Please keep the receipt and bring it to the test along with photo identification. Hand-scored results will be available by e-mail on April 19, 2010. Official score sheets will be available for pick up at the Intensive English Program (IEP) four to six weeks later. A free practice test is available for checkout at IEP.

The tests will be given at the Indian Valley Campus Intensive English Program (IEP), Ohlone Building 19, Room 158. Parking is available in lot 6; however, a daily or semester parking permit is required. Off campus parking is free.

This year’s student show, Last Call, has some important dates approaching quickly. Students may drop off their artwork at the Fine Art Gallery April 18, 19, and 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the week after spring break). The show will be up April 25 to May 13, 2011. A reception for the artists will be held Tuesday, April 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the gallery. All artwork must be picked up no later than Wednesday, May 18, 2011, by 4 p.m.

Upcoming Events

April is jazz appreciation month and to celebrate the Associated Students of College of Marin, Jazz Ensemble Band Foundation, and Black Student Union will present live jazz music by College of Marin's Jazz Ensemble Tuesday, April 26, from noon to 1 p.m. outside the Student Services Building.* The COM Jazz Ensemble is directed by Doug Delaney and will feature vocalists Beverly Freeman and Citrina Niles with spoken word by Todd McCleary. Soul food will be for sale.
 
Also, during the month of April documentaries on the history of jazz will be shown in the lobby of the Learning Resources Center. Books on jazz will also be displayed in the library.
 
For more information on the event contact Beverly Freeman via email at bvrfreem@comcast.net. For additional information on jazz appreciation month go to http://www.smithsonianjazz.org.

*Event will move inside the Student Services Building if it rains.

Instructors: Let your students know that the Black Student Union is sponsoring an essay contest with a $100 gift card awarded to the winner. Entries must come from currently enrolled COM students. All submissions are due by April 18 at noon in the box in the Black Student Union located upstairs in the Student Services Building. The topic for the essay is: How did jazz music change America, and how has it positively affected their life?

Local Landscapes at the Fine Art Gallery

The College of Marin Fine Art Gallery is currently exhibiting works featuring our local landscapes through April 8, 2011. A tea and book reading by one of the artists, Susan Hall, will be held at the gallery Tuesday, April 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call (415) 485-9494 for more information.

Performing Arts

Advanced Voice Recital
Belle of the Ball—Art Songs by Women Composers
Linda Noble Brown, instructor
Wednesday, April 6, at 11:10 a.m.
Lefort Recital Hall (PA 72)
Free admission, parking $3

Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, at 8 p.m.
Performing Arts Theatre
Admission: $15, $10 for students, seniors, and alumni
 
The award winning College of Marin Dance Department presents Classics: from ballet to Beatles, hip-hop to modern, with a bit of salsa thrown in for good measure! This promises to be an exciting dance experience.

Piano Repertoire and Interpretation Class Concerts
Paul Smith, instructor
Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 and 28, noon
Performing Arts Theatre
Donation suggested, parking $3

The class will perform solo compositions by Franz Liszt, Percy Grainger, Anton Arensky, J.S. Bach and others in two concerts. Different repertoire each day.

Chamber Ensemble Concerts
Jessica Ivry, director
Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, 7:30 pm
Lefort Recital Hall (PA 72)
Donation suggested: $7, parking free

Music for small ensembles performed by COM chamber music students, including works by Beethoven, Milhaud, Mozart, Weber, Foote, and Gershwin.

COM Athletics

Baseball vs. Napa Valley College
           Thursday, April 7, 2 p.m. in Kentfield

Baseball vs. Los Medanos College
           Saturday, April 9, 1 p.m. in Pittsburg

Baseball vs. Contra Costa College
           Tuesday, April 12, 2 p.m. in Kentfield
 
Softball vs. Contra Costa College—Double Header
           Thursday, April 7, 1 and 3 p.m. in San Pablo
 
Swim and Dive—Chabot Invitational
           Friday, April 8, all day in Hayward

Have a great week!

David Wain Coon, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President

President's Monday Briefing Web Page
Technical Contact: Nicole Cruz, Assistant to Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9648 x7648
Content Responsible: Cathy Summa-Wolfe, Director of Communications and Community Relations, (415) 485-9528